------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Mapusa KTC bus stand area used as an open-air toilet ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Goa has laws in place to deal with all violations but the authorities seem to lack the will to implement them, for the reasons best known to them.
A classic example of this is the Kadamba bus stand here. The open area between the ticketing counter of shuttle service and the Sulabh toilet is being used by unconcerned people to ease themselves in the open and though there is law to act against these people no one seems to be bothered.
It is not that there are no public toilets. The KTC bus stand has atleast such facilities, all of which are pay toilets, but people it appears don't want to pay money to use these toilets and prefer to ease themselves in full public view unmindful of the hazard and inconvenience they were causing to the general public.
Those people who want to travel by the shuttle service, especially those who have to wait till the arrival of the bus, have to bear with the stinking smell that emanates from the open gutter along the wall on the market side and also have to bear the foul smell of the faeces as well as the urine.
A few people this reporter spoke to at the passenger shed at shuttle service centre this afternoon told that they have been frequently using the service and have to bear with the stinking smell. They, however, said that so far they have never approached any higher authority either of the KTC or the Mapusa municipal council for seeking redressal of the problem.
They further said that it is not necessary that the authorities concerned should act only if there were complaints against any violation, etc and that it was the duty of the KTC to provide hygienic surroundings at least in its premises. Some others said that they preferred to travel by other buses if they have to wait for the arrival of KTC bus, in order to escape from the foul smell.
The open gutter is also a breeding ground for mosquitoes and a potential health hazard, said a young lady. The passengers waiting for KTC bus also said that fruit, paan, and those selling grams, ground nuts etc near the ticketing booth were also creating hurdles in smooth flow of traffic, especially during the peak hours.
Besides, the vendors sitting at the gate were also causing hurdles, said the people waiting for the bus. "One has to be careful not to trample upon the squatting vendors," said another male passenger. "How can the authorities allow these people to sit here," he asked further. Around the same time this reporter saw a lady quarrelling with a vendor selling grams and ground nuts.
When contacted, a KTC official at the bus stand said that they have tried all methods to keep the area clean bust have failed. He blamed the municipality for not doing enough to keep the area clean. He also asked this reporter to take the matter with his higher ups.
The Chief Officer of the Mapusa Municipal Council, Mr Deepak Bandekar, told this paper that the civic body was responsible for maintenance of the gutter only and that he has received complaints about foul smell emanating from it. With regards to cleanliness in the bus stand premises he said that it was the duty of the KTC.
He also said that the civic body has been deputing its personnel to drive away the people who ease themselves but it cannot spare its employees everyday. He also said that the sub-divisional magistrate of North Goa (Bardez) was the competent authority to take action against the people easing themselves on public property. The SDM was not available for comment. --------------------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 30/3/04 page 5 ---------------------------------------------------
======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
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